Modular baby carrier

ABSTRACT

A modular baby carrier including a principal module partially encircling a baby placed therein, and a hood detachable from the principal module. The principal module may include mutually connectable waist straps for engaging the waist of an adult carrying the baby, and shoulder straps for engaging the shoulders of the adult. An insert module dimensioned to accommodate a baby smaller than a baby which would be closely received within the principal module nests within the principal module. The shoulder straps may include removable sleeves to protect the shoulder straps from drooling.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/710,181, filed Oct. 5, 2012. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/710,181 is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to apparatuses for supporting and carrying a baby, including infants and toddlers. More particularly, this invention is directed to an apparatus including a flexible carrier adapted to be supported at the shoulders and hips of a person carrying the baby.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A soft structured baby carrier as in the present invention is conventionally used for carrying a small child ranging from newborn to toddler, and weighing from seven to thirty-five pounds, against the torso of an adult, for example in the manner of a backpack type carrier. The baby carrier is placed on the adult's body and then the baby is placed inside the baby carrier. Baby carriers have generally answered the need for keeping the baby close to the adult, but may be improved as to their utility and versatility. For example, a baby carrier may be provided with or without a hood or head covering. The baby carrier may become obsolete due to space limitations as a baby grows. Also, retaining ancillary personal possessions is typically not accommodated in baby carriers.

There exists a need for a baby carrier which adapts to the size of the baby, which is versatile in covering the baby, and which accommodates storage of ancillary possessions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the need for adapting to the size of the baby, offers versatility in covering the baby, and which accommodates storage of ancillary possessions. A removable insert module adapts infants to a baby carrier suitable for toddlers. A removable hood module enables covering or exposing the head of the baby. A storage pocket and detachable storage bags are accommodated by the novel modular baby carrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a baby carrier according to at least one aspect of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a principal module of a baby carrier.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a detachable hood module which is attachable to the baby carrier of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a modular insert which may be placed in the baby carrier of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of optional protective sleeves which may be used as drooling pads which are attachable to straps of the baby carrier of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a modular auxiliary storage bag which is connectible to the baby carrier of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another modular auxiliary storage bag which is connectible to the baby carrier of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 8A through 8C shows a Table that with a list of part numbers and associated descriptions.

Similar reference characters denote similar or corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to apparatuses for supporting and carrying a baby, including infants and toddlers. More particularly, this invention is directed to an apparatus including a flexible carrier adapted to be supported at the shoulders and hips of a person carrying the baby. FIGS. 8A through 8C provide a listing of parts and their associated descriptions.

With reference to FIG. 1, according to one aspect, the disclosure is directed to a modular baby carrier 100 of the type which is worn on the torso of a person such as an adult (not shown) carrying a baby B on the torso with the person. FIG. 1 provides an overview of the modular baby carrier 100, showing the modular baby carrier 100 in a position of ordinary use, wherein the baby B is upright with his or her head higher than the buttocks and feet. FIG. 1 shows three modules of the modular baby carrier 100, notably, a principal module 120 which holds the baby B to the person carrying the baby B, a hood module 380, and an insert module 500 which is used to adapt a small infant to the principal module 120. The principal module 120 may be utilized without the insert module 500 for babies and toddlers larger than an infant such as the baby B. The principal module 120, the hood module 380, and the insert module 500 are shown isolated from one another in subsequently described views.

FIG. 2 shows the principal module 120 upright, in a position it would assume if it were spread out on a flat surface. It should be mentioned here that terms such as upright, vertical, right, left, upper, lower, and so on refer to associated subject matter in a position of ordinary use, and as illustrated in the drawings. This is for semantic convenience in describing the modular baby carrier 100. Obviously, the modular baby carrier 100 could be oriented otherwise with changes in the body position of the adult for example. The principal module 120 may be formed from a padded fabric. That is, the fabric may enclose sponge, fiber batting, or other soft, breathable materials which provide a degree of cushioning.

In FIG. 2, the principal module 120 includes a body covering panel 140 dimensioned and configured to receive a baby B in close cooperation therewith. That is, the baby B is held securely, yet able to move about to a limited degree for comfort. The principal module 120 includes an upper edge 160, an opposed lower edge 180, a right edge 200, and a left edge 220. A first waist strap 240 projects laterally from the body covering panel 140 proximate the lower edge 180. An opposed second waist strap 260 projects laterally from the body covering panel 140 proximate the lower edge 180. A first shoulder strap 280 projects from the body covering panel 140 proximate the upper edge 160, an opposed second shoulder strap 300 projecting from the body covering panel 140 proximate the upper edge 160. A plurality of contact fasteners 320, 340, 360 are located along the upper edge 160, for engaging a hood module 380 (turn to FIG. 3) detachable from the principal module 120. For comfort, and to accommodate head movement, the padded main panel 140 may be flared, or configured such that the upper edge 160 is longer than the lower edge 180.

The first and second shoulder straps 280, 300 each may comprise respective cushions 1140, 1160 projecting from the body covering panel 140 and extending at least partially along the length of the respective first and second shoulder straps 280, 300. Cushions 1140, 1160 may comprise open or closed cell foams contained within fabric, for example. The first shoulder strap 280 includes a distal end 1180 located away from the body covering panel 140 and a loop 1200 at the distal end 1180. The second shoulder strap 300 may be similar but in mirror image, for example including a distal end 1220 located away from the body covering panel 140 and a loop 1240 at the distal end 1220. The loops 1200, 1240 each project substantially perpendicularly from their respective first and second shoulder straps 280, 300.

Turning momentarily to FIG. 5, the modular baby carrier 100 may include a plurality of sleeves 720, 740 each dimensioned and configured to partially surround one of the first shoulder strap 280 and the second shoulder strap 300. The sleeves 720, 740 may be employed as drool intercepting pads to protect the first and second shoulder straps 280, 300. The sleeves 720, 740 may have respective patches 730, 750 of hook and loop fastening material, and thereby close over the first and second shoulder straps 280, 300.

The first waist strap 240 includes a squeeze connector 760. The second waist strap 260 includes a squeeze connector 780 that mates with the squeeze connector 760 of the first waist strap 240. As employed herein, squeeze connectors, such as the squeeze connectors 760, 780 are conventional connectors having a male member and a cooperating female member. Typically, the male member comprises members which are spring urged to expand, so as to engage and lock to the female member. The male members may be compressed by hand to reduce their dimensions, thereby enabling the male member to disengage from the female member. The first and second waist straps 240, 260 may be mutually engaged using respective squeeze connectors 760, 780 after encircling the torso of the adult. Securement of the principal module 120 on the torso is furthered by passing the first and second shoulder straps 280, 300 over the shoulders of the adult. The first and second shoulder straps 280, 300 include respective squeeze connectors 800, 820, which engage complementing squeeze connectors 880, 900. The squeeze connectors 880, 900 project from the body covering panel 140 respectively at the right edge 200 and at the left edge 220.

The body covering panel 140 further comprises a pocket 840 having a closure such as a flap 860, for storage of small personal articles (none shown), for example. The pocket 840 is located along the lower edge 180 of the body covering panel 140, near the first and second waist straps 240, 260.

Turning to FIG. 3, the hood module 380 includes a main panel 400 curved to form a partial receptacle 420 above the upper edge 160 of the body covering panel 140 when the hood module 380 is connected to the body covering panel 140. The partial receptacle 420 partially covers the head of the baby B. A plurality of contact fasteners 440, 460, 480 are manually mated with the contact fasteners 320, 340, 360 of the body covering panel 140. The body covering panel 140 includes a cushion 1120 which covers the contact fasteners 320, 340, 360 located along the upper edge 160 such that a baby placed in the modular baby carrier 100 will not directly contact the contact fasteners 320, 340, 360. Contact fasteners such as the contact fasteners 320, 340, 360, 440, 460, 480 may be snaps, hook and loop fasteners, or other fasteners which are manually pressed together to latch together, and which may be manually separated.

The hood module 380 accommodates body movement by the baby B in the following way. The hood module 380 includes an elastic right edge 920 and an elastic left edge 940. The main panel 400 is bunched between the elastic right edge 920 and the elastic left 940 edge to accommodate elongation of the hood module 380 when the right edge 920 and the left edge 940 are elastically stretched vertically, as might occur for example should the baby B stretch to observe his or her surroundings.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the modular baby carrier 100 may further comprise an insert module 500 dimensioned and configured to nest within the body covering panel 140 and to receive in close cooperation therewith a baby B of dimensions less than the dimensions of the baby received in close cooperation with the body covering panel 140. This enables the modular baby carrier 100 to accommodate growth of the baby B as he or she passes from infancy to toddlerhood. It is not necessary to acquire a new baby carrier merely due to the baby's growth. The insert module 500 may comprise a padded main panel 520 including a right edge 540, an opposed left edge 560, an upper edge 580, an opposed lower edge 600, and a cushion 620 located along the lower edge 600. The padded main panel 520 may comprise a sponge or fiber batting filled fabric envelope, for example.

The padded main panel 520 may include a forwardly projecting short wall 640 along the left edge 560, and a forwardly projecting short wall 660 along the right edge 540. This construction enables the insert module 500 to wrap somewhat around the body of the baby B. The short walls 640, 660 need not be discrete walls unto themselves. The short walls 640, 660 may, for example, be forwardly curved or forwardly projecting portions of the padded main panel 520. A belt 680 spans the right edge 540 and the left edge 560, the belt 680 located between the upper edge 580 and the cushion 620. The belt 680 is permanently anchored at one of the left edge 560 and the right edge 540, by stitching for example. The belt 680 includes a manual fastener 700 at the other of the left edge 560 and the right edge 540. The manual fastener 700 may be hook and loop fastening material, snaps, buttons, or of another type of manual fastener. The belt 680 is therefore releasably closable over a baby B placed in the insert module 500, to keep the baby B secured within the insert module 500.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 6, the modular baby carrier 100 accommodates storage of ancillary personal items (none shown). At least one of the first shoulder strap 280 and the second shoulder strap 300 includes an auxiliary ring 960, 980 for detachably retaining an external object or ancillary personal item in a carrying bag 1000 (FIG. 6). The carrying bag 1000 includes a snap hook 1020 which engages with the auxiliary ring 960 or 980. Seen at the lower left of FIG. 2, proximate the lower edge 180 of the body covering panel 140, there is provided an auxiliary ring 1040, also for detachably retaining an external object, which may also be utilized to engage the carrying bag 1000.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 7, the modular baby carrier 100 may further comprise an auxiliary squeeze connector 1080 (lower center of FIG. 2) and a carrying bag 1060 (FIG. 7) including a squeeze connector 1100 which may engage the auxiliary squeeze connector 1080.

It should be understood that a modular baby carrier 100 according to the present disclosure may vary from the specific details set forth herein. The number, nature, locations, and other characteristics of connectors, such as squeeze connectors and rings, may vary. Connectors and fasteners, where shown as being of the type enabling only one point of contact, may be changed to a type which permits more than one point of contact. For example, snaps, may be omitted in favor of hook and loop fastener, which is a fastener type which enables adjustability of the point of contact in nearly infinite increments. Similar substitutions may be made for other connectors and fasteners used herein.

It will also be appreciated that babies may be carried by the novel baby carrier such as the baby carrier 100 in more positions than just that illustrated herein. For example, the baby may be carried at the front of the adult, with the baby either facing forwardly or facing backwardly. Also, the baby may be carried at the hip of the adult on either side. In addition, the baby may be carried at the back of the adult, facing forwardly.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed:
 1. A modular baby carrier for carrying a baby on the torso of a person wearing the baby carrier, the modular baby carrier comprising: a principal module comprising a body covering panel dimensioned and configured to receive a baby in close cooperation therewith, comprising an upper edge, an opposed lower edge, a right edge, and a left edge, a first waist strap projecting laterally from the body covering panel proximate the lower edge, an opposed second waist strap projecting laterally from the body covering panel proximate the lower edge, a first shoulder strap projecting from the body covering panel proximate the upper edge, an opposed second shoulder strap projecting from the body covering panel proximate the upper edge, and a first plurality of contact fasteners located along the upper edge; and a hood module detachable from the principal module, the hood module comprising a main panel curved to form a partial receptacle above the upper edge of the body covering panel when the hood module is connected to the body covering panel, and a second plurality of contact fasteners manually mate with the contact fasteners of the body covering panel.
 2. The modular baby carrier of claim 1, further comprising an insert module dimensioned and configured to nest within the body covering panel and to receive in close cooperation therewith a baby of dimensions less than the dimensions of the baby received in close cooperation with the body covering panel.
 3. The modular baby carrier of claim 2, wherein the insert module comprises a padded main panel including a right edge, an opposed left edge, an upper edge, an opposed lower edge, and a cushion located along the lower edge.
 4. The modular baby carrier of claim 3, wherein the padded main panel includes a forwardly projecting short wall along the left edge, a forwardly projecting short wall along the right edge, and a belt spanning the right edge and the left edge, the belt located between the upper edge and the cushion, and wherein the belt is permanently anchored at one of the left edge and the right edge, and includes a manual fastener at the other of the left edge and the right edge, whereby the belt is releasably closable over a baby placed in the insert module.
 5. The modular baby carrier of claim 3, wherein the padded main panel is configured such that the upper edge is longer than the lower edge.
 6. The modular baby carrier of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of sleeves each dimensioned and configured to partially surround one of the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap.
 7. The modular baby carrier of claim 1, wherein the first waist strap includes a squeeze connector, and the second waist strap includes a squeeze connector that mates with the squeeze connector of the first waist strap.
 8. The modular baby carrier of claim 1, wherein the first shoulder strap includes a squeeze connector, and the second shoulder strap includes a squeeze connector, and the body covering panel further comprises a squeeze connector projecting from the body covering panel at the right edge between the first waist strap and the first shoulder strap, and a squeeze connector projecting from the body covering panel at the left edge between the second waist strap and the second shoulder strap.
 9. The modular baby carrier of claim 1, wherein the body covering panel further comprises a pocket having a closure, the pocket located along the lower edge.
 10. The modular baby carrier of claim 1, wherein the hood module includes an elastic right edge and an elastic left edge, and wherein the main panel is bunched between the elastic right edge and the elastic left edge to accommodate elongation of the hood module when the right edge and the left edge are elastically stretched vertically.
 11. The modular baby carrier of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap includes an auxiliary ring for detachably retaining an external object.
 12. The modular baby carrier of claim 11, further comprising a carrying bag including a snap hook which mates with the auxiliary ring.
 13. The modular baby carrier of claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary ring for detachably retaining an external object, the auxiliary ring located proximate the lower edge.
 14. The modular baby carrier of claim 13, further comprising an auxiliary squeeze connector and a carrying bag including a squeeze connector.
 15. The modular baby carrier of claim 1, further including a cushion which covers the contact fasteners located along the upper edge such that a baby placed in the modular baby carrier will not directly contact the contact fasteners.
 16. The modular baby carrier of claim 1, wherein the first shoulder strap comprises a cushion projecting from the body covering panel and extending at least partially along the length of the first shoulder strap, and the second shoulder strap comprises a cushion projecting from the body covering panel and extending at least partially along the length of the second shoulder strap.
 17. The modular baby carrier of claim 1, wherein the first shoulder strap includes a distal end located away from the body covering panel and a loop at the distal end, and the second shoulder strap includes a distal end located away from the body covering panel and a loop at the distal end.
 18. The modular baby carrier of claim 17, wherein the loop at the distal end of the first shoulder strap projects substantially perpendicularly from the first shoulder strap, and the loop at the distal end of the second shoulder strap projects substantially perpendicularly from the second shoulder strap. 